MÉTODO PARA PRODUZIR UMA ESMECTITA OU SUBSTÂNCIA CONTENDO ESMECTITA MODIFICADA, ESMECTITA OU SUBSTÂNCIA CONTENDO ESMECTITA, E, USO DE UMA ESMECTITA OU SUBSTÂNCIA CONTENDO ESMECTITA MODIFICADA

The present invention relates to a method for producing a modified smectite or smectite-containing substance capable of taking up and releasing water in a reversible manner by treating a non-activated smectite or smectite-containing substance with a water soluble activating agent and with a water soluble polymer capable of reacting with said smectite, wherein 0-6% by weight, calculated on the weight of the smectite, of the water soluble activating agent and 0.3-6% by weight, calculated on the weight of the smectite, of the water soluble polymer are admixed with the smectite or smectite-containing substance, wherein: at least a part of the water soluble activating agent is added before and/or at latest simultaneously with the soluble polymer, wherein at least a part of the water soluble polymer is added as a dry solid, the mixture obtained contains an amount of water in a range of from 20 % by weight of water to 50 % by weight of water, on basis of the mixture.